20 Jul 2015

Over the weekend, multiple reports claimed that allegedly 'world-class' Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke is due to have a medical today ahead of £32.5m transfer to Liverpool, but is that really true? According to Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, there's no current deal on the table to sign the powerful Belgian striker.

In my view, option one is far more credible, and Rodgers has a history of making questionable transfer statements. Last summer, for example, he claimed:

"I can categorically tell you Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool". Three weeks later, Liverpool signed Balotelli.

Three weeks later, Liverpool signed Balotelli.

When it comes to transfers specifically, it's inadvisable to take anything Rodgers' says at face value. However, in this case, if he does know about the Benteke transfer, he gains nothing by lying to the media about it.

Rodgers should've just refused to discuss transfers, as he did last week after the Brisbane Roar game. Stating that he knows 'nothing about it' simply creates more headlines (i.e. 'Rodgers claims Liverpool are not signing Beneke!')

I'm sure many fans will be hoping and praying that Rodgers is telling the truth, but I still have a feeling that Benteke will be a Liverpool player on September 1st.

What do you mean 'clearly he was joking'? He wasn't at all. Perhaps you shouldn't just believe whatever people post on the site without checking. Re 'Ghost of Suarez's' comment:

* He refers to a Sky Sports article titled 'Why I signed Christian Benteke'. That is fabrication as Rodgers did not specifically reference Benteke in the Liverpool Echo article (upon which the Sky article is based).

* The Echo wrote: Rodgers refused to be drawn on the deal for the Belgium international but speaking generally admitted that having a greater threat was crucial after the struggles of last season

* Sky - like most other news outlets - immediately twisted that to make it sound like Rodgers is specifically referring to Benteke, which he clearly isn't.

* Plus, he stated: "He made the "I don't know what you are talking about" comment in jest...and then went on to talk about it". This is also incorrect, as Rodgers' comments about 'needing to score more goals' were made in a totally separate interview, and not during the post-Adelaide press conference (which is how you make it sound).

* Finally, Rodgers did not make his 'I don't know about Benteke comments' in 'jest' - he answered the question with a straight face, and then moved on.

Could it be a simple situation in the sense that the club hasn't announced anything yet, or that the papers haven't been officially signed, therefore he's technically not allowed to speak about a player that still belongs to another club.

I'm sure you're right. I'm just taking issue with the notion that Rodgers was 'joking around', and that he specifically stated that Liverpool have signed Benteke (an idea that media are currently reporting, and fans are perpetuating)

It's really a dilemma...Benteke for 32.5 mil pounds, it's certainly a rip-off. But if not for Benteke, who else can we get? No UCL, unlikely UCL participation for the forseeable future, no break-the-bank kinda salary, non-established manager, no star player at the club, not attractive geographically etc etc. Anyway a side note, maybe they can give Samed Yesil a chance and see if he can make it. No harm trying...seriously...

Next press conference a reporter should ask "why are the club selling Joe Allen?"If Rodgers laughs & denies it, we'll know he's in control. If Rodgers goes bright red, starts punching the desk then get to his knee's crying, we'll know the committee's in control

Benteke makes no sense whatsoever, especially not as long as Liverpool are stuck with Balotelli (who could be unsellable, even on a free transfer), and Borini. All comments about Benteke come from media speculation, without a single confirmatory comment from an LFC official.

My view is this: The Central Strikers next season will be Sturridge, Ings, Origi, and one of Ballotelli or Lambert. Given the large number of OMs, four central strikers is already overkill, and there is no room whatsoever for another large target man with limited mobility like Benteke.

I'm afraid to say that in that case your view is incorrect. The strikers will be Benteke, Sturridge, Ings and Origi with Balotelli and Lambert shipped out to whoever will take them. As much as you don't want Benteke it is going to happen so we may as well all just accept it and get behind the lad.

I honestly think people do him a slight disservice in this respect, sure he's no John Cleese (who off screen is actually a bit of a g*t) but sometimes I think I see a slight will to entertain, especially in his pre-match pressers.Think, that like nearly all high profile sports people and/or their managers these days - it's crushed out of them by the 'politically correct, play the grey man for fear of offending a sponsor or such' PR departments.Don't think he's all that bad to be honest and as soon as we string a few wins together, I expect any character based misgivings will quietly be forgotten.

Credit Mr P BIDsley whom I hope doesn't mind me copy and pasting this from the last thread:

BR on Ibe today,

"He's still very young, he's still 19 years of age, but I think you see the potential. It's just [about] him continually working hard at his game; he's still got a way to go for that consistency but I think everyone sees that potential.

"All our young players at the club know that if they demonstrate the right personality, they have a chance to play. Joe Gomez at 18 years of age has huge potential as well. It's up to them. They know they'll get a chance if they co-ordinate their game and work to the plan of the collective, then there'll be a chance.

"Jordon is a very exciting talent and we'll manage him individually, because it's not the same for everyone. He's his own player and we need manage him and what's best for him and the team."

One or two murmurings in the press today inferring that Balo is at least discontent and apparently wishes to leave even by way of loan.Whether we can find anyone to accommodate him seems a tough question to answer though, especially if we want them to also pay his wages, which it seems we do.

I think you've hit the nail on the head, he is a bit of a bad egg to have around the place. He's hardly a good role model for young upcoming players when they see his attempts to walk everywhere on the football pitch.

So as this article appears *IMO* to be slanted towards criticising Brendan's answering of the Benteke question, can I just say that as LFCNYC74 suggests: the likelihood, is that it's very simply BR being constrained by the logistics of discussing a deal that has not yet been completed.As a comparison, how do we suppose the much deified (by others)Mourinho, would have answered the same question - I will get the ball rolling - like an arrogant w8nker. So within the boundaries of context, are we perhaps being a little over the top in our judgements of BR in this matter.

Ok Jaimie, whether or not the Sky article is correct, the fact that remains, which is not in dispute, is that was asked about Benteke twice by a journo and he replied he knew nothing about it. Now seeing as you me and every other person on the planet (including no doubt the journo in question) knows the Benteke is about to sign, so this means one of two things. Either (A) he knows that Benteke is about to sign, obviously realises everyone else know this and is winding up the journo or (B) he, the manager of Liverpool, really doesn't know anything about it.

My position is it is quite clearly the former rather than the latter, whether he deadpanned it or not is quite irrelevant. Unless you really believe he has no knowledge of this impending transfer Jaimie? You tell me.....

Benteke makes a lot of sense in my humble opinion. he's not an andy carroll, he plays on the shoulder of the defence and he's not slow. Plus he gives us a bit of mettle which is what we sorely need. Hendo's delivery from set pieces, the amount of crosses we've been putting in in pre-season would seem to indicate Benteke would get shedloads of chances. And he's good with his feet as well.We just need to make sure he leads the line rather than get's plonked there to hold the ball up. That's if he's even coming.I didn't see the interview so i can't comment on that.But we need shot of Balotelli whatever happens imo.Our major weakness was mental fragility last season. With people like milner being signed I'm hoping we'll see a bit more heart this year, and sterling and balotelli going might be enough to remind our squad they're here to fight to the death, even if it's the last 3 or 4 games of the season and there's nothing to play for except pride.I think that's the majorly overlooked thing that suarez brought us, his passion. Apologies for the essay.

Well Paul lambert the manager that signed him for villa has just spoken that he was on the phone to benteke yesterday, congratulating him on his big move to a massive club. He also goes to say he will score loads of goals for us with the chances we create. Sounds like it's in the bag lads

He would have made a charming disarming flirtatious comment that would have deflected the questioner, swept her off her feet to the point of seduction before he mysteriously melted away into the night.